The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission is due to receive comments regarding the compensation of energy storage projects for avoided transmission and distribution costs. A 2020 law directed the commission to open a proceeding on the topic. The commission is required to consider how public policy can help establish accurate and efficient price signals that value the ability of storage projects to avoid transmission and distribution costs while reducing wholesale market prices. Energy storage projects eligible for compensation will include both utility-owned and non-utility-owned projects, with behind-the-meter or front-of the-meter storage, which are capable of storing electricity as some form of energy. IR 20-166

The Maryland Public Service Commission will discuss climate equity and low- to moderate-income goals and programs as part of EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s energy efficiency program. The current goal structure for EmPOWER is mandated by legislation through the end of the 2021-2023 program cycle, and the commission is required to provide the General Assembly with recommendations on future goals and cost-effectiveness tests by July 1, 2022. An order issued in December 2020 authorized the transition to the next three-year program cycle and approved various proposals by the program administrators to continue operating the core energy efficiency programs in 2021-2023.

The Kansas Corporation Commission is due to receive comments from Evergy Inc.’s customers on the company’s proposed Sustainability Transformation Plan. The commission opened an investigation into the five-year strategic plan in August 2020, in order to evaluate its impacts on electric ratepayers. The plan, approved by Evergy’s Board of Directors, is designed to cut operating and maintenance expenses while increasing capital expenditures. At a workshop held in May, Evergy presented an updated plan incorporating feedback from earlier workshops. Previous workshops discussed grid modernization investments and related benefits, operational efficiencies, and enhanced customer experience. 21-EKME-088-GIE

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Xcel Energy Inc.’s proposal to build a 460-megawatt solar project that would partially replace the energy production of the coal-powered Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, which is scheduled to cease operations in 2023. The proposal includes two high voltage transmission lines needed to interconnect the project to the existing Sherburne County Substation. The project is being developed in partnership with National Grid Renewables Development LLC. In January, the companies entered into a purchase and sale agreement, which authorizes National Grid Renewables to secure a site permit and two route permits for the project on behalf of Xcel Energy. GS-21-191

The Arizona Corporation Commission will open a comment period to receive public input on its amended energy rules, which would require regulated utilities to achieve 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2070. In May, the commission voted 3-2 to advance the rules, marking the culmination of a three-year effort, which involved several workshops, and input from regulated utilities, clean energy advocates, ratepayers, and other stakeholders. The amended energy rules will be subject to a formal rulemaking process, allowing additional opportunities for comment before the commission considers it for a final vote. Among the key changes, the amended version would extend the deadline to attain carbon-free energy from 2050 to 2070.